Cesar Almeida Replaces Susurkaev to Face Johnson at UFC 334
Cesar Almeida steps in to face Donte Johnson at UFC 334 after Baisangur Susurkaev withdraws from the Nov. 14 card at Madison Square Garden.
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Cesar Almeida has stepped in to face undefeated prospect Donte Johnson at UFC 334 after Baisangur Susurkaev withdrew from the middleweight matchup. The card lands Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Susurkaev, who entered the pairing at 12-0, pulled out for reasons that have not been disclosed. Almeida takes his place opposite Johnson, who is 9-0 as a pro and 3-0 inside the Octagon.
Why This Fight Still Matters on the UFC 334 Card
Johnson was always the name to watch in this pairing, and that hasn't changed with the opponent swap. He most recently stopped Eric McConico at UFC 330, adding to previous wins over Cody Brundage and Sedriques Dumas. A clean, unbeaten run through the middleweight ranks has made him one of the more interesting prospects on a stacked New York lineup that also features Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit, Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes and Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui.
Almeida brings a very different resume into the fight. He's 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the UFC, and he's coming off a first-round knockout loss to Damian Pinas this past July. That kind of recent finish loss, paired with a short turnaround, is the sort of detail oddsmakers weigh heavily when a late replacement steps in.
Betting Angle
Losing an unbeaten opponent in Susurkaev and getting a.500 UFC fighter coming off a first-round knockout is generally a favorable swap for a rising prospect like Johnson. Expect the line to open with Johnson as a solid favorite once odds are posted, given his unbeaten record against Almeida's uneven UFC stretch and the fresh knockout loss on his ledger. The bigger question for bettors is whether Almeida had enough camp time to fix whatever left him vulnerable against Pinas, or whether this turns into another quick night for the opponent.
Johnson vs. Almeida now slots in on a UFC 334 undercard that runs deep, with names like Stephen Thompson, Jim Miller and Beatriz Mesquita also on the bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who replaced Baisangur Susurkaev at UFC 334?
Cesar Almeida replaced Baisangur Susurkaev to face undefeated middleweight Donte Johnson at UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden.
What is Donte Johnson's UFC record?
Donte Johnson is 9-0 as a professional and 3-0 in the UFC, with his most recent win coming by stoppage over Eric McConico at UFC 330.
Why did Baisangur Susurkaev pull out of UFC 334?
Baisangur Susurkaev withdrew from his scheduled UFC 334 bout against Donte Johnson for reasons that have not been disclosed.
